Kidney Damage and Radiation: Challenges for Mars Travel

Scientists have found that human kidneys cannot withstand a journey to Mars. Just a month in space leads to the narrowing of kidney tubules, disrupting the balance of calcium and salt. Experiments on mice have shown that their kidneys were destroyed or failed after 2.5 years of exposure to radiation. Without new methods of protection, astronauts may require dialysis on the return trip, according to the study's author, Kate Sue.